looking good

S. Cotabato lawmaker says Tampakan to push through
Wednesday, March 16, 2011 1:58 AM

(Source: The Manilla Times)
By James Konstantin Galvez, The Manila Times, Philippines
March 16--
A SOUTH Cotabato legislator on Tuesday said the Tampakan coppergold project will likely push through after Malacanang identified mining as a priority industry.

Representative Daisy Fuentes of the province's 2nd district, who was then governor when she signed the controversial environmental code banning open pit mining, has advised Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI) to enhance its water management plan to address the public apprehension over the $5.9 billion project, which is the Philippines' largest mineral prospect.

"Although I appreciate their water management plan, I insisted that another water catchment be added at the South Cotabato side of their project area to mitigate the impact of run-off water from the mine," Fuentes said.

Fuentes, who recently met with representatives from SMI, also clarified that she was not anti-mining or against the Tampakan project. "I was one of the authors of the Philippine Mining Act, it would be hypocritical for me to say I am anti-mining," she said.

The lawmaker however said that mining companies must address the apprehensions of the people on the impact of their operations to the environment.

"I want the farmers benefiting from downstream water resources to be protected. As long as SMI will be able to address our apprehension on the impact of the project to our water, the Tampakan project will proceed without any problem," she said.

On Monday, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said it was ready to intervene in the on-going row over the Tampakan project.

DENR Secretary Ramon Paje said the agency is awaiting a formal letter from SMI seeking its intercession.

"The government supports the project, and we believe that it is a good project. We are giving every opportunity for the democratic process to push through but we are making it very clear that the South Cotabato environmental code is against our national policy," Paje said.

John Arnaldo, SMI communications manager, said the company is on track with its work program, citing the continuous groundwork for the projected 2016 mining operations.

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